Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas have enticed thousands of vacationers to sail the Caribbean on ships that are unique in their design and amenities. The Oasis was launched three years ago, and was joined by the Allure a year later. While still young in industry terms, the ships have added some new features that make them even more appealing to cruise fans.

The Oasis and the Allure are the largest cruise ships at sea and the first to be organized by "neighborhood” (indeed, with the capacity for 5,400 passengers each, these ships are more populous than some small cities). Each ship has seven neighborhoods, including Central Park, a meandering garden lined with shops and restaurants; and the charming Boardwalk, which leads to the open air AquaTheater. Here, passengers can see a show of fountains, lights and aerial acrobatics at night.

The ships offer lots of staterooms that overlook the water, many with balconies. Thanks to the ships’ unique design, some staterooms have interior views of Central Park or the Boardwalk.

No matter which stateroom you choose, you may not spend much time there. You’ll want to try the zip line over Central Park, test your surfing skills on a FlowRider simulator, ride the carousel on the Boardwalk, and enjoy the fabulous restaurants.

Worried about finding your way on these massive ships? Passengers who’ve sailed on them rave about touch-screen computerized maps available throughout Oasis and Allure. Tell the computer where you want to go, and it maps out the correct deck and the exact walking route to that destination. It also provides real-time data on how busy all of the restaurants are.

Both the Oasis and the Allure recently introduced dining packages that make it easy for passengers to enjoy some of the ships’ alternative dining venues. For example, the Choice Dining Package includes dinners at Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table Italian Trattoria, and either Izumi Asian Cuisine or the Solarium Bistro. Each ship has also added a Starbucks, so passengers can enjoy their favorite coffee- and tea-based beverages while relaxing on deck.

The ships are known for their technical innovations, too. Royal Caribbean recently announced that by summer 2013, the Oasis will be able to provide passengers with high-speed, satellite-delivered broadband service for convenient – and fast – Internet communications.

To find out how you can sail the Caribbean on the Oasis or the Allure, talk with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.